With Batman being one of the most iconic heroes, it makes sense that he has more video games than any other hero. His first game was released in 1986, and since then, Batman fans have taken control of the Dark Knight to face some of his greatest enemies, investigate crimes, and protect Gotham from those who would rather see it burn.
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Let's take a look at some of the best Batman games of all time.
11. The Adventures of Batman and Robin (1994)
Based on Batman: The Animated Series, later titled The Adventures of Batman and Robin, the game was developed by Konami and Clockwork Tortoise and published by Sega for the Genesis, Game Gear and Sega CD and Konami for the Super NES ( SNES).
The SNES version features levels loosely inspired by episodes of the animated series and located in locations where different villains operate. Batman is the only playable character, but Robin still appears during certain conversations. The gameplay is similar to that of an action-adventure game.
In the Genesis version, players must defeat the Joker, Two-Face, the Mad Hatter and Mr. Freeze. Players can control Batman or Robin; some levels are side-scrolling shooters where players take control of the Batwings.
The Sega CD version includes chase scenes with the Batmobile and Batplane and advances the story with animated cutaways, most of which are performed by the original actors.
In the Game Gear version, players must save Robin from the Joker. The game has four levels, each with different stages until you face Harley and the Joker. Batman primarily uses projective weapons but switches to melee combat when he gets close enough to his enemies.
10. Batman: Arkham Origins (2013)
This game was developed by WB Games Montreal and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 3, Wii U, Windows and Xbox 360. It is inspired by comic books such as Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight and Batman: Year One.
The game follows a young Batman who discovers that Black Mask has placed a $50 million bounty on his head. Not only does Batman now have to deal with the eight hitmen (Bane, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Copperhead, Firefly, Electrocutioner, Killer Croc and Shiva) and the corrupt members of the GCPD and SWAT, but he doesn't have the same support from Jim Gordon as the veteran Batman and he is considered an outlaw.
The game shows the beginnings of Jim Gordon's partnership with Batman, the Joker's obsession with Batman, and the corruption of Dr. Harleen Quinzel.
Arkham Origins received mixed reviews upon release. While some praised the story and portrayal of the Joker, others criticized the game's lack of expansion compared to previous games or its combat system. While gadgets like Shock Gloves were too powerful, others dealt no damage to enemies, making encounters far too long to be enjoyable.
Although Arkham Origins has its flaws, it is an enjoyable game that won the Canadian Videogame Awards for Best Animation and Best Visual Art. Additionally, it received a companion game, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, which was released for Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita.
9. Batman: The Enemy Within (2017 -2018)
Developed by Telltale Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, The Enemy Within is the sequel to Batman: The Telltale Series. The episodic point-and-click game puts players in control of Bruce Wayne and Batman, who infiltrates the criminal group known as Pact after falling victim to black mail from Amanda Waller and the Agency . The player's choices directly influence events and can even prevent the Joker from becoming a villain.
The Enemy Within was praised by many players and considered a huge improvement over its predecessor. The Joker's interpretation was applauded by many, with GQ's Scott Maslow stating that it made the character interesting again: “The Joker has always said his past was multiple choice, but this is the first time I “I felt like I was the one ticking the boxes”. MobileSyrup's Bradley Shankar called the game “one of the greatest Joker stories ever told”, adding that “while the relationship between Batman and the Joker has been the subject of many excellent interpretations over the years , there has never been one as complex and morally gray as the one Telltale created with The Enemy Within”.
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8. Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham (2014)
Developed by Traveller’s Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment as a sequel to Lego Batman 2, this LEGO game focuses on a large number of characters from the DC Universe rather than just Batman and Robin. However, the gameplay is very similar to its predecessors.
After the events of Lego Batman 2, Brainiac travels to Earth to capture Hal Jordon, the Green Lantern and the final member of the seven Emotional Spectrum Lantern Corps he must collect to complete his shrink ray.
Earth's villains work together to have Lex Luthor elected “President of the World” when Brainiac arrives to put his plan into action. It takes the combined powers of heroes and villains and a heartfelt speech from Batman to defeat Brainiac and return Earth to normal size.
The game received mixed reception from critics, who appreciated the game's creativity and humor, but found the controls to be a bit “clunky” and wished they could explore more locations. The games eventually got a spin-off, Lego DC Super-Villains, and several DLCs corresponding to popular DC films.
7. Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (2012)
Developed by Traveller’s Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, this action adventure game is the second installment in the Lego Batman series and the first Traveller's Tales game to feature spoken dialogue and an open world. It was released for Windows, PlayStation m and Vita, Nintendo DS and 3DS, Wii and Wii U, Xbox 350, OS X, iOS and Android.
It follows Batman, Robin and Superman in their efforts to foil the plans of the Joker and Lex Luthor. It includes a few more characters than the previous game due to the inclusion of the Justice League.
After losing the Man of the Year title to Bruce Wayne and seeing the Joker use his laughing gas to make people adore him, Lex Luthor recruits the Clown Prince to help him get elected president. Batman and Robin are saved by Superman twice before the caped crusader accepts help from the Man of Steel.
When things get out of hand, the Justice League arrives to help, and everyone works together to defeat Lex Luthor and save Wayne Tower.
Lego Batman 2 was well received overall. Most reviewers loved it and said both adults and kids would enjoy it, but some found the AI to be uninspiring, the vehicles to be poorly controlled, and the combat to be tedious. Otherwise, the open world concept and visual design are fantastic.
6. Lego Batman: The Video Game (2008)
This action adventure game was developed by Traveller’s Tales and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for Xbox 360 PlayStation 3, 2 and Portable, Wii, Nintendo DS, Windows and OS around Gotham.
Like previous LEGO games, players must collect LEGO studs, solve puzzles, and battle enemies. The game consists of thirty levels, and once you complete a Hero chapter, the corresponding Villain chapter unlocks. Players must play both to experience the full story of each chapter. In hero mode, Batman and Robin put all the villains in Arkham, while in villain mode, most of the villains are captured, while the leader of the villains (the Riddler, the Penguin and the Joker) and their main lieutenants (Double -Face, Catwoman and Harley Quinn) succeed in carrying out their plans.
Unlike later games, Lego Batman does not have a main story or voiceover. Nonetheless, critics and fans praised the game and the inclusion of many well-loved characters.
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5. Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013)
While not solely a Batman game, this game and its sequel have a focus on the Dark Knight, making it one of his own. It was developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The fighting game takes place in a 2.5d environment, with 3D characters and settings, while the characters operate in a 2D space, similar to that of Mortal Kombat.
The game takes place in a parallel universe where Superman turns evil after the Joker tricks him into killing Lois Lane and her unborn child. Batman summons the Justice League's alternate counterparts to help him defeat Superman and members of the Justice League who have become evil, either by choice or fear.
Reviewers praised the game, with Vince Ingenito of IGN stating that the game was “both a very good brawler and a great love letter to the fans.” While many praised the story mode and combat mechanics, they also criticized the crude cutscene graphics. Nonetheless, the game was named the best fighting game of the year by several critics.
4. Injustice 2
Developed by NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the game once again centers around Batman and his insurgency attempting to restore society. The arrival of a group of new supervillains forces Batman to make a difficult choice. The gameplay is similar to its predecessor.
Two years after the fall of Superman's Regime, Batman and the other heroes learn of the arrival of a new threat: Brainac, who plans to shrink the Earth to add it to his collection. Having no other choice, Batman chooses to free Superman and ally himself with the Regime on the condition that no one is killed in subsequent battles.
The ensuing battles are marked by constant tension between the heroes, and although they eventually defeat Brainic, their inability to decide what to do with Brainic causes a split. The battle only ends with the defeat of Superman or Batman.
3. Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)
The game that launched the Arkham series and inspired games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. This game was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Inspired by numerous comic books, the game follows Batman's fight against the Joker, who attempts to take over Arkham Asylum, trap Batman, and bomb Gotham City.
It won several awards, held the Guinness World Record for the most critically acclaimed superhero game, and has often been considered one of the greatest video games ever made.
After accompanying the Joker to Arkham Asylum because he thought the villain had allowed himself to be captured, Batman finds himself in an area controlled by the Joker, where no one can enter for fear that the Joker will detonate bombs hidden in Gotham City. Batman works alone to free captured Gordon and foil the Joker's plan to create an army of superhuman henchmen.
The game was very well received and won several awards, including the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation and Outstanding Achievement in Game Design, the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards for Game of the Year, Character Design, Control Design (3D), Costume Design, Game Design, Sound Editing in a Game Cinema and Use of Sound. Additionally, Mark Hamill won several awards for his outstanding role as the Joker, which he will reprise in several Arkham games. Finally, Rocksteady Studios won a few awards for the game's development.
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2. Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
The fourth installment of the Arkham series was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Its emotional story will make you feel sorry for Batman and his sons. It probably would have been the best game in the series if it weren't for people's dislike of the Batmobile.
After the Joker's death in Arkham City, Gotham is at peace until several villains team up to try to kill Batman. Meanwhile, Batman battles a blood infection that could transform him physically and mentally into the Joker. Additionally, the fear toxin gives him hallucinations of the Joker. All of this is not made easier by the fact that the Arkham Knight turns out to be Jason Todd, alive and feeling betrayed by Batman's abandonment of him.
The game was well received after its release, particularly regarding the voice acting and narration. However, the Batmobile is where many reviewers felt the game fell short. Many playable characters are introduced through DLC, including Harley Quinn and Jason Todd as Red Hood.
1. Batman: Arkham City (2011)
The second installment of the Batman: Arkham series is the greatest of the Arkham games. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows. It was later re-released for Wii U, OS X, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
The action-adventure game focuses on the Dark Knight's imprisonment in Arkham City, a super-prison encompassing the decaying urban slums of Gotham City, built 18 months after the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum, to which Bruce Wayne was initially opposed.
With Alfred's help after his imprisonment, Bruce (Kevin Conroy) becomes Batman. He attempts to learn what Protocol 10 is while dealing with the Joker (Mark Hamill), whose blood has been affected by the Titan formula.
Arkham City features several characters from Batman's rogues gallery, including the Penguin, Mr. Freeze and Ra's al Ghul. Additionally, the side missions do a great job of introducing other villains from the Batman universe, particularly the Riddler, whose optional challenges are scattered throughout the map.
Players can freely explore the open world of Arkham City and use a combination of stealth and gadgets to eliminate enemies and uncover the secrets of the city's prison. Several playable characters besides Batman are available in the DLC, including Catwoman, who has her own campaign parallel to the main story, Nightwing and Robin, who also have their own story. Nightwing and Robin are specifically available on Challenge Maps.
The game was well received by everyone who played it and was called “the best licensed video game ever made” by Game Informer. While some felt that it lacked the surprise of its predecessor, others welcomed the improvement in animation, bosses and the range of activities available. Eurogamer's Christian Donlan said the intricate details of the environment made it “hard not to feel like the world's greatest detective on patrol.”
It is widely considered one of the greatest video games ever made.
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TL;DR
- Batman's popularity led to the release of several Batman-centric games that were incredibly successful.
- The most popular Dark Knight games are part of the Batman: Arkham series.
- Many Batman video games have achieved great success thanks to their complex stories and the intriguing relationship between Batman and his many villains.